Eastern Screech Owl

Eastern Screech Owl

Eastern and central North America, from southern Canada to northeastern Mexico

Habitat

Forests, woodlands, scrublands, gardens, urban areas

Scientific Name

Otus asio

Conservation Status

Common

My, what big eyes it has! The Eastern screech owl needs good eyesight to help it see well when it hunts at night. It also has excellent hearing, enabling it to pick up even the slightest movements of its prey animals.

The screech owl’s hunting success benefits from the bird's ability to fly without making noise. Owls can fly without a sound because the specially shaped comb-like feather edge on their primary wing feathers dampens the sound of air rushing over the wing surface.

Screech owls feed on a variety of prey, including insects, small mammals and birds.